When the Spaniards came into the Philippines, they brought with them their patriarchal values about

women which eventually diffused into Philippine culture. The women during the Spanish period were
tied to the house and their roles were confined exclusively to housekeeping and child rearing. On the
other hand, there was the chivalrous idea that men should be the provider of the family and protector of
the women. Women were also taught to be compliant to elders and always submissive to males. They
were oriented to remain incorruptible until marriage and to focus on building skills that would make
them good daughters, housewives, mothers and servants of God. Women were even barred from
participating in political undertakings because it was considered a man’s work. Filipinos were familiarized
to a religious and patriarchal system of education which emphasized the domestic value that women
were the property of men. This infiltration of Spanish culture into Philippine norms and behavior is an
evidence of feudal social relations.

Jose Rizal’s legacy to Filipino women is embodied in his famous essay entitled, “To the Young Women of
Malolos,” where he addresses all kinds of women – mothers, wives, the unmarried, etc. and expresses
everything that he wishes them to keep in mind.

SUMMARY

“To the Women of Malolos” was originally written in Tagalog. Rizal penned this writing when he was in
London, in response to the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar. The salient points contained in this letter are
as follows:

The rejection of the spiritual authority of the friars – not all of the priests in the country that time
embodied the true spirit of Christ and His Church. Most of them were corrupted by worldly desires and
used worldly methods to effect change and force discipline among the people.

The defense of private judgment

Qualities Filipino mothers need to possess – as evidenced by this portion of his letter, Rizal is greatly
concerned of the welfare of the Filipino children and the homes they grow up in.

Duties and responsibilities of Filipino mothers to their children

Duties and responsibilities of a wife to her husband – Filipino women are known to be submissive,
tender, and loving. Rizal states in this portion of his letter how Filipino women ought to be as wives, in
order to preserve the identity of the race.

Counsel to young women on their choice of a lifetime partner

Rizal’s Message to Filipino Women

Jose Rizal was greatly impressed by the fighting spirit that the young women of Malolos had shown. In
his letter, he expresses great joy and satisfaction over the battle they had fought. In this portion of Rizal’s
letter, it is obvious that his ultimate desire was for women to be offered the same opportunities as those
received by men in terms of education. During those days young girls were not sent to school because of
the universal notion that they would soon only be taken as wives and stay at home with the children.
Rizal, however, emphasizes on freedom of thought and the right to education, which must be granted to
both boys and girls alike.

The Responsibilities of Filipino Mothers to Their Children

Rizal stipulates a number of important points in this portion of his letter to the young women of Malolos.
The central idea here, however, is that whatever a mother shows to her children is what the children will
become also. If the mother is always kissing the hand of the friars in submission, then her children will
grow up to be sycophants and mindless fools who do nothing but do as they are told, even if the very
nature of the task would violate their rights as individuals.

Qualities Mothers have to Possess

Rizal enumerates the qualities Filipino mothers have to possess:

Be a noble wife.

Rear her children in the service of the state – here Rizal gives reference to the women of Sparta who
embody this quality

Set standards of behavior for men around her.

Rizal’s Advice to Unmarried Men and Women

Jose Rizal points out to unmarried women that they should not be easily taken by appearances and
looks, because these can be very deceiving. Instead, they should take heed of men’s firmness of
character and lofty ideas. Rizal further adds that there are three things that a young woman must look
for a man she intends to be her husband:

A noble and honored name

A manly heart

A high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves.